Cover Artist: Drew Struzan

Everything seems to be working out alright for Han Solo and his friends, when the Empire decides it's time to crack down on Hutt Space. When Moff Sarn Shild declares his intention to shut down Hutt operations, Han is sent to give him a message from the Hutts. Sarn expresses his regrets to Han, but the Emperor was most insistent and he won't be able to accomodate the Hutts this time. Before Han can leave, he meets Sarn's "niece", and is devastated to see that she is his lost love Bria Tharen. The two pretend they have never met, and later Bria is heartbroken that Han thinks she is Sarn's mistress, even though she is there working undercover for the fledgling Rebellion. Han returns to Jabba with the Moffs message and tells them what he suspects about where the Imperial fleet will stage before attacking. He visits with Mako while the Hutts discuss their options, and when he meets back with them they tell him he is going to meet with Admiral Greelanx and attempt to bribe him to spare them. Han agrees and infiltrates the fleet while dressed as an Imperial officer. He manages to get in to see the Admiral, but Greelanx has his orders. When Han suggests that he buy the Admiral's battle plan and that he call a retreat at the first real opportunity, Greelanx agrees, not seeing how smugglers could defeat his fleet. After Han leaves, Greelanx reflects on how he had received instructions from Imperial Intelligence that he was to lose this battle, and how at least he could make a little money from the situation. Han returns to Nar Shaddaa and he and Mako organize the smugglers into a fighting force. While contemplating the plan, Han has an idea and contacts Xaverri, who agrees to this opportunity to hurt Imperials. After a couple weeks of drilling, the Imperial fleet arrives and the battle is joined. The smugglers are able to hurt the Imperials, but suffer heavy losses until Xaverri creates her illusion of a large fleet to draw Greelanx's attention away while the smugglers hit the back of his fleet. They are successful and the attackers suffer heavy losses until Greelanx calls the retreat. One of his subordinates, Soontir Fel picks up the remaining TIE fighters, and when he is called out on it, informs Greelanx that he will be making his report, though he is secretly relieved that he won't have to carry out the massacre that was part of the original plan. With the threat gone, Lando leaves for Oseon to practice his gambling in preparation for a big game at Bespin, and Han is sent to pay off Greelanx. He pays him off but they are interrupted by the arrival of a higher up. Han is hidden in an office while Greelanx unsuccessfully attempts to placate his superior who breathes with an ominous sounding respirator. The other leaves, and Han makes his escape, stopping only to pick up a Krayt dragon pearl that Greelanx had dropped. He escapes the ship in a lifepod and is picked up by Chewie in the Bria. Their luck doesn't hold and their ship is destroyed around them while they escape in the lifepod. Without a ship, Han wonders what he will do.